Lets learn some tips for foaling time

[mysteryhorses]

Here is my tip

You use a syringe to collected the milk. This link will show you want I learned from my vet years a go. It works great.
www.breederscorner.com/syringe.shtml

I will also collect milk in a bucket, if I see mare spraying milk before foaling. Then freeze it so I have some on hand. 95% of my mares spray milk with in 6-12 hours before foaling. Holding a Bucket under their bag is easy and fast, when they are spraying milk.

[twnpnds]

Here is something very important that is often overlooked. Keep those fingernails cut short and filed until foaling time is over. You never know when you may have to help a mare and then is not the time to worry with long or sharp fingernails. Fingernails can do damage to mare and foal. Another plus is you don't have to worry about so much dirt under them. Much easier to keep clean.

[mysteryhorses]

No problem there twnpnds I always have short nails as "yes I bit my nails" Very good tip for those with long nails.

[Linda]

mysteryhorses said:

Here is my tip

You use a syringe to collected the milk. This link will show you want I learned from my vet years a go. It works great.
www.breederscorner.com/syringe.shtml

I will also collect milk in a bucket, if I see mare spraying milk before foaling. Then freeze it so I have some on hand. 95% of my mares spray milk with in 6-12 hours before foaling. Holding a Bucket under their bag is easy and fast, when they are spraying milk.

Thank you for the great info. I copied it and have it on hand when our time comes. Hope I don't need it tho.

[Heather T]

Well, I'm no expert here, but in my opinion - when a mini mare is in labor, it's important to know that the baby is in the right position. I've seen alot of foalings where the people just let the mare do her thing, which is fine. But I like to go in and feel to make sure all is there - then you can step back and let nature takes course.

There's such a small window of opportunity to save a foal that's in trouble...I'd rather go in and be safe...than to wish later I had done something more.

We should list what we keep in our foaling kits......there may be something that someone uses that we would all benefit from...

Okay - ours has

• Towels
  
• Baby syringe to suck out the nose
  
• shoe laces for umbilical cords that don't break
  
• scissors
  
• garbage bag (for afterbirth
  
• Iodine solution for the navel
  
• lubricant (ky jelly)
  
• Foal blankets
  
• Foal rescussitator kit
  
• Enema
  
• Syringe and cup to collect the milk and syringe it to the foal if needed.
  

There may be more in there...just can't think of it all. Ours has been ready since November....

[mysteryhorses]

1# FOAL CAM

2# 3 sizes of Syringes so if I need them I got them

3# Bag to put after birth in

4# Equine Relief for sterilising navel "both spray and wound relief"

5# Foal milk replacer "Just in case"

6# Frozen milk with colostrum "Just in Case"

7# Blankets

8# Cup or something to put collected milk in

9# Second person on hand to help if needed

10# vets phone number

[Heather T]

mysteryhorses said:

1# FOAL CAM

- You are absolutely right there.

[MaryKansas]

admin said:

[/li][li] lubricant (ky jelly)
[/quote]

Would that be the warming kind?

[Heather T]

Ha!!! Mary - you are bad girl. Ask Tracey at Legacy Cyldesdales - she had a funny on here about just that!!!

[bndranch]

I think that is what Mary was refering too!
I think we should add:
Vet wrap
OB gloves (just in case)
Banamine (for mommy just in case)

[southernheart]

Cell Phone
Extra lighting just incase
Nerves of steel incase something goes wrong!
Camera to get them great shots of the birth! :-)
Joyce